3 Things I Learned Listening to 80s on 8

With the amount of traveling I have been doing over the past few months and the countless hours I have spent alone in my truck I decided to splurge a little. I broke down and subscribed to Sirius XM radio. I have enjoyed not losing a radio signal as I drive through even the smallest of towns. There are three stations I listen to more than any others … 63 – The Message, 80 – ESPN Radio, and 114 – Fox News Channel.

Ok, time to be a little transparent. Every once in a while I find myself listening to the all 80s channel, Big 80s on 8. It is such a blast from the past listening to some of the original MTV VJs (I don’t think they even have those anymore). I sometimes catch myself laughing, partly at the music I listened to during my middle school and high school years, but also because of the memories that the songs bring back. From pop to hip hop to rock and even the hair metals, here are 3 things I learned listening to the Big 80s on 8.

1. The human brain has an amazing way of remembering things.

I am blown away when a song comes on that I haven’t heard in years and I still remember every word. I might, or might not have freaked out my teenage son singing along to MC Hammer … “Stop, Hammer time.” (He would really be scared if he knew the Hammer pants that I had). Ok, you try. Finish this … “Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike he’s down on his luck, it’s tough … woah, we’re half way there …” You got it. It is Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. How about this one … “Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight, it doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right. Just …” None other than Michael Jackson and Beat It.

I thought, “If only I could remember Scripture like that it would be great.” Then I thought about how many times I would have heard those songs and how many times I would have sang along with them. If I would apply that same kind of effort to memorizing Scripture I am confident that I could accomplish this task … “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” – Psalm 119:11. Maybe it would be a good idea for me to invest more time in memorizing God’s Word.

2. There is an emotional connection with music.

Whether it is the rush of adrenaline (and desire to fly an F-14 Fighter Jet) hearing Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins. Or the smell of a skating rink hearing It Takes Two by Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock. Or the Desire to Walk Like an Egyptian after hearing the song by the Bangles. Or wanting to fight someone after hearing Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. Or falling in love all over again (and wanting to learn karate) hearing Glory of Love by Chicago. Almost every song I hear on 80s on 8 brings some sort of emotional connection.

All throughout history, music has had an emotional connection. 2 Chronicles 5 is an amazing portion of Scripture. It records an incredible worship service. This is right at the completion of Solomon building the “house of the Lord.” Solomon assembled all of the elders throughout Israel, gathered the priests and Levites to place the Ark of the Covenant into the Most Holy Place. Then when you get down to verses 12-14 and it talks of the Levites, who were the singers, along with those having cymbals and stringed instruments and specifically 120 trumpeters. They all together lifted their voice to the Lord and praised the Lord saying, “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever.” And here is the best part, it says that the house of the Lord was filled with a could. Verse 14 says was the glory of the Lord filling the house.

Have you ever experienced a worship service where you truly knew that the Lord had filled the house? Music is emotional. Don’t misunderstand me, there is no emotional experience that will ever trump the Word of God, but God does use music to draw our hearts toward Him though worship.

3. There were a lot of one hit wonders.

Yes, there have been plenty of one hit wonders in every decade, but it seems like the 80s has a higher percentage. I mean where else can you listen to Whip it by Devo. Or 99 Luftballons by Nena (what does that mean anyway)? Everyone loves the idea to Don’t Worry, Be Happy but have you ever heard another song by Bobby McFerrin. VH1’s top one hit wonder of the 80s went to Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners. I definitely have never heard anything else by them, I couldn’t have even told you who sang it.

I know this, I do NOT want to be a one hit wonder. 1 Corinthians 4:2 speaks of the requirement for God’s children to be found faithful. That is my single goal in life … to be found faithful. I live for the day to hear my Heavenly Father say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I hope you understand that I am not endorsing you to listen to 80s on 8 on Sirius XM Radio. It is probably much safer to stick with The Message. But I do want to encourage you to be mindful of the lessons God is teaching you through every day life. I was just reminded again the other day that God not only shows up in the “big moments” of life, but He is there also through the private moments, even when you are in the middle of nowhere, browsing through the radio stations and find those classic 80s songs. Let’s always keep our ears and our hearts open to hearing from Jesus.